Fluid control system and mechanism



Jan. 11, 1949. T. B. CHACE FLUID CONTROL SYSTEM AND MECHANISM FiledApril 24, 1944 r'Lz/E'z-L GUT" 72 0/ 145 B. (39405.

Patented Jan. 11, 1949 2,458,978 FLUID CONTROL SYSTEM AND MECHANISMThomas B. Chace, Winnetka, lil., assignoto The Dole valve Company,Chicago, Ill., a corpo'ation ot Iilinois Application Api-il 2 4, 1944,Serial No. %2,467

5 claims. (Ci. 222-76) This invention relates to a fluid control systemand mechanism and more particularly to a fluid control and deliverysystem in which means is provided for delivering a predeterminedquantity of fluid at different times in a sequential cycle of operation.

In fluid supply systems such, for example, as the fluid supply system ofan automatic washing machine, it is desirable to deliver water ofpredetermined temperatures and in predetermined amounts at differentpoints in a cycle of operation such systems usually comprise means forcontroliing and determining the temperature of the water which isdelivered and in addition some means must be provided for limiting ordetermining the amount of water which is delivered to the tub of theautomatic washin machine. One type of control which has been provided inthe past is to employ floats which will automatically shut ofl' thewater supply when the water has reached a predetermined height in thetub oi' the washing machine. Another type of control has been providedin the past which causes a uniform rate of fluid delivery irrespectiveof variations in pressure of the fluid supply line, and controls thelength of time which the inlet valves are held open. To'

put this in a somewhat different manner, means have been provided in thepast which cause water to be delivered at a uniform rate for apredetermined period of time at different points in a cycle ofoperation. The objection to this type of system is that the time ittakes to fill the tub is relatively long, since the rate must be madelow enough to take into account possible low pressure conditions in thefluid supply line.

One of-the principal features and objects of the present invention is toprovide a fluid control system and mechanism in which means is providedfor metering the fluid delivered and for shutting off the inlet valvewhen a predetermined metered quantity of fluid has been delivered. Thisenables fluid to be delivered at the maximum rate available fordifferent pressure conditions throughout a wide range.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel fluidcontrol system including means for supplying water at difl'erentpredetermined temperatures at diflerent stages in a cycle of operationand for metering the water delivered. Another object of the presentinvention is to provide a novel control system in which a timer controlsthe opening of the inlet valves of the fluid system but in which ametering de-' vice eflects the ciosure of the lulet valve.

Another and still further object of the present invention is to providea novel mete-ing device and relay control for a'fluid supply system.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my inventionare set forth with particularity in the appended claims. My inventionitself, however, both as to its organization, manner. of. constructionand method of operation, together with further objects and advantagesthereof, may best be understood by reference to the followingdescription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, inwhich:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a fluid control systemembodying the novel features and teachings of the present invention; and

Figure 2 is a sectional view of one form of i metering device which maybe employed in the fluid control system shown in Figure 1.

Referring first to Figure 1 of the drawing, there is illustrated thereina fluid control system including a dual mixer valve ili, a pair ofelectrically operated inlet valves 'll and ll, a metering deviceil and atub N.

The dual mixer valve lfl may be of any suitable design for mixing hotand cold water supplied from the hot and cold water supply ducts !5 andIS and which will deliver a mixed fluid at one temperature through theduct i" and at a second temperature through the duct !8. By way ofillustration and not by way of limitation the dual mixer valve may be ofthe type described and claimed in my copending application for patententitled "Fluid control system," U. S. Serial No.

513,610, filed December 9, 1943, and assigned to the same assignee asthe present invention.

The electrically operated valves ll and I! are interposed in theconduits 'l'l and Is and are arranged to control the flow therefrom.More particularly, the valve ii is arranged to prevent delivery of waterfrom the conduit H when deand '22. v

The downstream sides of the two valves l and !2 are connected togetherthrough a T-connection 23 as shown. The leg oi' the T-connection mergesinto a fluid duct 24 passing to the metering device !3. After the fluidleaves the metering device l3 it passes through a conduit 25 and isdischarged into the tub I4.

The metering device !3, in substance, includes a water wheel whichdrives a cam 26 through suitable reduction gearing. The gearing ispreferably connected in such a manner that the cam disk 26 makes onecomplete revolution upon the passage of the desired metered quantity ofwater. In the illustrated embodiment oi the invention this desiredmetered quantity of water w`ould be the required amount of water tobring the liquidt level in the tub |4 up to the desired point.`

The electrically operated valves l I 'and i2 are arranged to beenergized from a' pair of power supply conductors 21 and 20 which areconnected to a suitable source of electric energy (not shown). Thisenergization circuit for each ot the electrically operated valves ll and|2 will now be described.

As diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawing a timer motor29 is provided which drives three cam disks 30, 32`and 33 in a clockwisedirection. The cam disk 30 is provided with a cutout peripheral portion34 while the cam disks 32 and 33 are each provided with a pair of cutoutportions 35 and 35. "and 31 and 38, respectively.

Movable contact arms .39, 40 and '41 are associated respectively withthe cam disks 30, 32 and 33. The contact arms 39 to 4| are provided withcam followers 42 to 44 respectively which ride on the outer peripheralsurface of the cam disks 30, 32 and 33. The movable contact arms 39 to4| are provided with contacts 45 to 41 which are arranged to close aainst stationary contacts 49 to 50 respectively. These stationarycontacts 40, 49 and 50 are connected to the power suppy conductor 20.The movable contact arm 39 is connected through a conductor 3i to theterminal 2l of the electrically operated valve l2. The movable contactarm 40 is connected through a conductor to the terminal I 9 of theelectrically' operated valve I I. The movable contact arm 4l isconnected through a conductor 52 to one end of a relay coil 53, theopposite end of the relay coil being connected to the power supplyconductor 21.

The relay coil 53. when energized, is arranged to move a movable contactarm 54 of a relay switch against the action of its associated biasingspring 55. The biasing spring 55 normally urges the movable contact arm54 against a stationary abutment or stop 56. This movable contact arm 54is directly connected to the power supply conductor 21. The movablecontact arm 54 includes a contact 51 which is arranged to close againstthe stationa'y contact 59 that is connected through a conductor 59 tothe terminal 22 of the electrically operated valve |2I as well as to theterminal 20 of the electrically operated valve I I.

It will be apparent, from the above description, that the electricallyoperated valve I 2 is energized (and hence, open) whenever both switchoperated by contact arm 39 and switch operated'by contact arm 54 areclosed. similarly, the electrically operated valve ll is energized (andhence, open) whenever the switch operated by contact arm 40 and theswitch operated by contact arm 54 are both closed. The relay coil 53 isenergized whenever the switch operated by contact arm 4| is closed. i

For a reason which will presently be apparent, means is provided forholding the switch 54 closed under certain circumstances even when there- 'power supply conductor 21.

operated valve II is energized from the power lay coll 53 isdeenergized. This means includes a bell crank arm 60 having two legportions 6| and 02. The leg portion 62 is arranged to engage the outerperipheral surface of the cam 26 including the raised portion 63thereof. The leg portion 6| is in the form of a latch having a generallyv-shaped indent 64 therein which fits over the end of the switch' arm54.' A spring 65 extending between an ear 66 on the arm Gi, and an ear61 on the housing of the metering device l3, normally urges the arm iiitoward the contact arm 54. If the contact arm has first been moved toits closed position and the latching arm Gi thereafter moved against theendsthereof, the latching portion 64 will hold the contact arm 54 in itsclosed position irrespective of subsequent deenergization of the relaycoil 53. arm si from the dotted line position as shown in Figure 1 toits full line position as shown in Figure ergized slightly ahead -of thetime when the contact arms 39 and 40 are moved closed. This. however, ismerely a preferred form of the in- 'vention since it is apparent thatthe starting of the metering device will be occasioned upon the closureof either or both of the contact arms 39 and 40 along with the contactarm 54.

The operation of the control circuit will now be described. With thecams 30, 32 and 33 in the position as shown in Figura 1 of the drawing,the relay coil 53 is energized, since the cam follower 44 on the contactarm 4i has fallen' into the cutout portion 31 of the cam disk 33. Thishas already occurred a short interval of time prior to the position asshown in Figure 1 oi' the drawing due to the fact that the cutoutportion 31 extends slightly to the right of the cam follower 44. The cam'followers 42 and 43 have just fallen down into the cutaway portions 34and 35 of the cam disks 30 and 32 which has caused closure of the switcharms 39 and 40. This effects energization of both the electricallyoperated valves lland !2. 'The electrically operated valve !2 isener'gized from the power supply conductor 28 through the switch 39,conductor 31, the electrically operated valve I2, conductor 59, contacts51-59, switch arm 54 and back to The electrically supply conductor 20through switch 40, conductor 5i, the electrically operated valve II.conductor 59, contacts 51-53, switch arm 54 and thence back to the powersupply conductor 21.

*Uponenergization of the valves ll and |2 water starts to flow from bothconduits l 'I and 18, 'through valves H and !2 respectively, and is thenmixed together in the T.-connection 23.

This mixture fiows through the conduit 24 into the meter-ing device |3and then on through the delivery conduit .25 into the tub l'4. As waterfiows through the metering device l3 the cam disk 26 starts to rotate ina clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow. After the raised por--tion 33 on the cam 26 passes'the end of the arm 82 the. spring 65 movesthe arm 6| into its latching position against the contact arm 54. Thisholds the contact arm 54 in its closed position irrespective ofsubsequent deenergization of the relay .53. The relay 53 is deenergiz'ed'as soon as the cam rollower-'fl rides 'up on'to the high point Uponsubsequent movement of the portion 31. 4

It is understood that the cutaway portions 34 and 35 onthe cam disks 33and 32 are of such extent that the switches operated by arms 33 and 43respectively will not be opened prior to one complete revolution of thecam disk 23 which is driven by the metering device l3. After asufllcient quantity of water has flowed through the metering device |3so as to efiect one complete revolution of -the cam disk 23 the raisedportion 63 will cause a counter-clockwise rocking movement of the bellcrank lever 53. This frees the latching engagement of the arm 3! fromthe contact arm 54 and the latter is immediately moved to its openposition against the stop 53 by the spring 55. It will thus be apparentthat fluctuation in the pressure of the fluid passing through the fluidmixing valve III does not in any way effect the measured quantity ofwater which is delivered to the tub |4 for the timer 23 and itsassociated cams 30, 32 and 33 do not govern or control the times whenthe valves ll. and |2 are closed. These are rather closed by the actionof the metering device which determines the time at which the switch arm54 is moved open.

The manner in which the water is drained from the tub !4 forms no partof the present invention and accordingly is not shown. It will beunderstood, howev'er', that after the water in the tub I 4 has beenused, it will thereafter be drained, and this may be under the control'of the timer 23.

For purposes of illustration, the cam disks'lo. 32 and 33 are shown asbeing arranged to deliver water at a difl'erent temperature at asubsequent stage in the cycle of operation. More particularly, the camdisk 32 is provided with a second cutaway portion 33 while the cam disk30 has no second cutaway portion. It will thus be seen that at asubsequent stage in the cycle ofoperation the switch arm 40 is movedclosed although the switch arm 33 remains in the open position. Thiseffects energization of the electrically operated valve I l only. Theoperation of the circuit when this valve` ll only is energized issimilar to that previously described. More particularly, the cam disk 33is provided with a second cutaway-portion 33 which is associated withthe cutaway portion 33 of the cam disk 32 to eflect energization of therelay 53 just prior to the time when the switch arm 40 is moved to theclosed position. The deenergization of the electrically operated valvelil is efl'ected in the same manner by the rotation of the cam disk 26on the metering device l3.

In Figure 2 of the drawing I have iilustrated a form of structure forthe metering device l3 which has been found to be satisfactory inoperation. The metering device shown therein includes ing member 69, anupper housingmember o and a lower housing member ll. Mounted in theintermediate housing member 69 and clamped between the flange 12 of thelower housing member 'll and the intermediate housing member 33 is amember 13 having a plurality of guide vanes 14 therein. An impeller 15of the reaction turbine type havin a plurality of depressed cup-shapedblades is journalled on a hol'ow post 13 and keyed to a shaft 11 at itslower end. The shaft 'Il extends up through the hollow post or hearingmember 13. Reduction gearing generally indlcated by which follows thecutout the reference character 13 vis provided in the upper housingmember '10 and this reduction gearing is driven by the shait "of :therotor 15. A driven 'shaft 19 extends out through the wall of the housingmember 10 and the cam disk 26 is mounted on the outer end thereof; Itwill thus be apparent that as water flows from the conduit 24 into thehousing 33 between the guide vanes 14 and down' through the impeljerblades 34, and thence out through the conduit 25, the shaft TI isrotated.. The speed of rotation of the 'shaft 'll depends upon thevelocity of the fluid passing through the turbine and hencevupon thequantity of water passin therethrough.

In order to safeguard the mechanism against extremely high-pressures ithas been found, on some occasions, to be desirable to provide some meansfor restrictingflow when the inlet pressure isextremely high. To thisend a seat member 30 is mounted in the inlet nipple 3| of the housingmember-63. A'resilient annular member 32 having a relatively largecentral opening 33 is seated on the seat member 33. This opening 33 isso ?argethat under normal water pressures there is substantially nodeformation of the resilient member 82. However, under extremely highpressure's, this member will be flexed to cause a reduction in the sizeof the oriflce 33 on the upstream side. This, in turn, will cut down therate at which fluid is delivered andwill thus i will, of course, be'appreciated that" the broad a housing 38 comprising an intermediatehousv novel features of the'present invention include equipment in whichmechanical quivalents are employed.

While I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention, it will, ofcourse, `be understood that I do not wish to be limited thereto. sincemany other modifications may be' made and I therfore contemplate. by theappended claims to cover all such modiflcations as fall within the truespirit and scope of my invention.

I claim as myinvention: i 1. A fluid control system comprising a fluidsupp y duct, an electrically operated sh'utofrv'alve in said supplyduct; an en'erg'izing circuit for opening said valve'including a camoperated switch and a. relay operated switch connected in series withsaid valve, an energizing circuit for said relay including a second camoperated switch for closing the energization circut ,for said relay, afluid metering device in said duct for measuring the quantity of waterflowing therethrough, a continuously running substantially constantspeed timer, cam means operated by said timer for closing both of saidcam operated switches, and means operated solely by said metering deviceindependently of said timer for opening said relay operated switch aftera predetermined quantity of fluid has passed through said meteringdevice.

2. A fluid control system comprising a fluid supply duct, anelectrically operated shutoff valve in said supply duct, an energizingcircuitfor opening said valve including a cam operated switch and arelay operated switch connected in series with said valve, an energizingcircuit for said relay including a second cam operated switch forclosing the energization circuit of said relay,

a fluid metering device in said duct for measuring the quantity of waterflowing therethrough. a timer, cam means operated by said timer forclosing both of said cam operated switches and for opening said relaycam operated switch a, relatively short time after it has been closed,latch means engageable with said relay operated switch for holding thesame in a closed position after it has been closed by said relay, andcam means operated by said metering device independently of said timerfor releasing said latch means after a. predetermined quantity of fluidhas passed through said metering device.

3. A fluid control system comprising a fluid supply duct. anelectrically operated Shuto!! valve in said supply duct, an energizationcircuit for said valve including a flrst switch and a second switchconnected in series with said valve, a timer, means operated by saidtimer !or closing said first switch for a relativey long period of time.a relay for closing said second switch, said relay having anenergization circuit including a third switch, means operated by saidtimer for. closing said third switch at least as early as the time whensaid first switch is closed and for a relatively short period of time, alatch for holding said second switch closed after closure thei-cof bysaid relay, a fluid meter-ing device in said supply duct on thedownstream side of said shutoi! valve, reduction gearing, a cam drivenby said metering device through said reduction gear-ing, said cam beingarranged to release said latch and eflect closing of said valve after apredetermined quantity of fluid has passed through said metering device.

4. A fluid control system comprising a fluid supply duct, anelectrically operated shutofl valve in said supply duet, an energizationcircuit for said valve including a first switch and a second switchconnected in series with said valve, a timer, cam means operated by saidtimer for closing said first switch and for holding said flrst switchclosed for a relatively long period of time, a relay for ciosing saidsecond switch, said relay having an energization circuit including athird switch, cam means operated by said timer tor closing said thirdswitch at least as soon as said flrst switch is closed and for arelatively short period of time, a latch for holding said second switchclosed after closure thereof by said relay, biasing means for urgingsaid latch to its latching position, a fluid metering device in saidsupply duet on the downstream sideof said shutofl' valve, means operatedby said meterlng device for moving said latch from 8 its latchingposition and affecting closing ot said valve after a predeterminedquantity of fluid has passed through said meter-ing device.

5. A fluid control system comprising a fluid supply duet, a shutoftvalve in said supply duct. an

'of fluid supply including a plurality of switches operable atpreselected time intervals. one of said plurality of switches being inseries with said valve electromagnet coi and said spring biased switch,a second of said plurality of switches being in seris with said switchOperating coil to eflect closing of said spring biased switch topartially prepare a circuit for energizing said shutoif valveelectromagnet coil when no fluid is flowing through said duet. saidlatch being arranged to lock said spring biased switch in the closedposition so long as fluid is flowing through said duet and until saidcam efl'ects release of said latch to eflect transfer of control of saidspring biased switch to said second of said pluralityof switches.

THOMAS B. CHACE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the flle ofthis patent:

UNITED s'ra'ms PATENTS Number Name Date 1,545,938 Bren July 14, 19251,985,929 Jorgensen Jan. 1, 1935 2,137,928 Tanqueray Nov. 22, 19382,197,294 Brockbank Apr. 16, 1940 2269259 Fields Jan. 6, 1942 2,296,266Breckenridge Sept. 22, 1942 2,334,831 Meyer et al Nov. 23, 1943 THERREFERENCES Powers, page 27 of Bulletin No. 258, entitled "Powers MixingValves," published April 1940 by the Powers Regulator Co.. Chicago, Ill.Copy in 236/12 (36 pages, only front cover and page 27 required).

